Best Kinesiology and Exercise Science colleges in California 2024

To get started, Kinesiotherapists and workers in related fields usually need to earn their Bachelor’s in Kinesiology. However, there are some kinesiology jobs where you can get started with just a certificate or associate degree. 

The kinesiology major covers subject matter such as applied exercise science, athletic training, movement science, and sometimes sport management. Most students opt to specialize in an area related to the type of job they want later, so they might focus on physical therapy or fitness.

Students who want to qualify for advanced positions can earn a master’s or even a doctorate. Whether you earn an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll also need to finish a specified number of clinical internship hours to qualify for most jobs in this field.  

What to Expect as a Kinesiology Major

Types of Kinesiology Classes

Kinesiology degree students will study everything from anatomy and physiology to physics and communications. Students may also take classes in exercise training and re-education of patients’ sensory and respiratory systems. Below is an overview of common course titles: 

• Anatomy 
• Biochemistry
• Exercise physiology 
• Exercise psychology
• Exercise science
• Geriatric mobility
• Human biology
• Motor development
• Nutrition and dietetics
• Physics
• Principles of physical activity
• Stamina training
• Strength training

Courses will vary by school, but most curriculums cover the same basics. Beyond those basics, coursework depends on which area a student wants to specialize in (based on what they want to do after they graduate). 

Skills Learned in a Kinesiology Degree Program

The primary objectives of kinesiology programs are to teach students skills such as how to assess and treat patients through relaxation techniques, correcting bodily posture and alignment, enhancing joint mobility, improving muscular strength and endurance, and increasing patient coordination. There are also specialized skills based on the particular area a student wants to focus on so they can secure future positions or prepare for a higher-level kinesiology degree.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Kinesiology Degree?

A Bachelor’s in Kinesiology usually requires 120 semester credit hours, which equates to roughly 40 courses. This bachelor’s takes four years to complete if attending full-time. However, the length of time varies based on multiple factors, such as: 

• Previous education (i.e., the number of transferable credits you may hold)
• Courseload (i.e., whether you will attend full-time or part-time)
  • Enrolling in 12 or more semesters hours’ worth of classes (~four classes) per semester is considered full-time
  • Anything under 12 credits is part-time, so the time to finish if attending part-time varies greatly
    • For example, a person taking one class per term will obviously take longer to finish than someone taking three classes per term…yet both are classified as part-time students
• Online learning (many online programs offer accelerated courses)
• Other accelerated program availability

Kinesiology Degree Specializations

There are kinesiology degree specialization options at both the undergraduate and graduate level. A few of the most common include:

• Athletic Training
• Exercise Physiology
• Exercise Science
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Sport Management 
• Sports Medicine

Next Steps to Getting Started in a Kinesiology Program

To complete a degree in Kinesiology, students will need to research appropriate schools and programs to find good matches. Here are a few of the basic steps to get started:

• Decide if it is feasible to attend in person or if you need the flexibility of an online or hybrid program. 

• If going in-person or hybrid, determine if you want to attend an in-state or out-of-state school. Keep in mind, out-of-state tuition is generally much more expensive! 

• Think about areas of specialization before making your list of schools and programs. 

• After you have put together your list of schools and programs, carefully review the application criteria for each. 

• Rank your list based on:

  • Dream schools (schools that might be long shots to get accepted into)
  • Target schools (the ones that are the closest matches for your qualifications)
  • Safety schools (the ones you feel a bit over-qualified for). 

• Be mindful of the GPA requirements. Most schools will list a “minimum” GPA needed, but just having the minimum won’t necessarily qualify you if there is a lot of competition. 

• Decide which schools to apply to first. You might want to base this on which ones have the soonest application deadlines. 

• Review if there’s an application fee or not. If so, see if you qualify for a waiver and apply for that in advance. 

• Start assembling your application materials, such as high school transcripts and any prior college transcripts. 

  • You may need to submit official, sealed copies of these documents, sent directly from your prior schools to the school you’re applying to. If so, order the transcripts well enough in advance, because sometimes it can take a few weeks for them to be delivered from one school to another. 

• Fill out your FAFSA well ahead of time, so it can be done before your school’s federal aid deadline. 

• Go to the school’s website and submit your application materials, such as personal statements, essays, or letters of recommendation. Make sure not to recycle the same statements over and over. Each should be tailored to the specific school and program you’re applying to. 

• If there are any scholarships or other forms of financial aid, apply for these as soon as possible. 

Admissions Requirements for Kinesiology Degree Programs

• High school and prior college transcripts - The college hosting the kinesiology program you’re applying to will usually need official copies of any high school or college transcripts you have. Make sure to order these in advance, because it can take a while for the orders to process and ship. 
• List of awards, achievements, or extracurricular activities - Many schools and kinesiology programs are competitive and want to see proof of accomplishments beyond academics. 
• Essay, personal statement, or answers to a question prompt - Each school and kinesiology program is different, but most want some sort of personal essay or statement about your interest in their kinesiology program and your goals after graduation. 
• SAT or ACT scores - Standardized test scores are still a common requirement for most colleges, but most don’t have a preference as to which you submit. The scores simply help admissions boards assess applicants’ skills and potential to succeed in a rigorous kinesiology program. 
• Proof of citizenship - Some schools require evidence that an applicant is a U.S. citizen. 
• Letters of recommendation - Some competitive schools and graduate kinesiology programs may allow applicants to submit letters of recommendation. Others require them. When needed, try to find the most influential person you can who knows you and can write to the school or program on your behalf. 
• Resume/CV - While these are generally more for graduate programs, undergrad schools might also want to see a copy of your resume or CV, to review your prior work history. 
• Application fees - Most colleges and universities charge a fee to apply for admission. This fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether you’re admitted or not. However, many schools offer an income-based fee waiver you can apply for. 

Many kinesiotherapists complete third-party certifications to complement their college degrees. Prospective students should consider the requirements of the particular jobs they want to apply for, as well as any employer or state-specific requirements.

Two organizations that grant certifications are the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). 

National Strength and Conditioning Association certifications include: 

• Certified Special Population Specialist (CSPS)
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
• NSCA Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT)
• Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F)

American College of Sports Medicine certifications include:

• Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer (CET)
• Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP)
• Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C)
• Certified Group Exercise Instructor (GEI)
• Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer (CIFT)
• Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (PAPHS)
• Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP)

Because the kinesiotherapy career field is relatively small compared to other professions, there are fewer college degree programs for this major. However, as you can see from our above list, they’re out there and many are offered online or via a hybrid method (some classes done in-person, some online). 

How Long do Online Courses Take to Complete?

Online kinesiology courses can save students a ton of time because there is no need to commute to school. In addition to this benefit, the amount of time it takes to finish an online class depends on a few variables, such as: 

• Synchronous or asynchronous - Asynchronous classes are self-paced, so students may be able to finish faster. 

• Hybrid vs online courses/programs - Hybrid programs require students to attend at least some classes (or parts of classes) in person. This is useful for subject matter where hands-on practice is needed. 

• Accelerated online courses - Some colleges offer accelerated online courses, meaning the amount of material is the same as a standard class, but the timeline to finish is compressed even if it’s synchronous. 

Kinesiology majors don’t specifically have to work as kinesiotherapists (aka kinesiologists or exercise physiologists). There are several career options for people who hold an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in kinesiology! 

These job options range from personal trainers and fitness instructors to exercise physiologists, dietitians, prosthetists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. 

Kinesiology Salary and Career Information

Nationwide, the average annual kinesiology salary in 2023 is $54,843. However, there are many variables that impact pay, such as the job itself, one’s academic credentials, number of years working in the field, area of specialization, employer, and geographic location, to name a few.

Zippia notes that the number of kinesiologist jobs is estimated to grow by an amazing rate of 22% through 2028. Please note, however, that projected job growth is not a guarantee. Many things can happen to impact any job projections. 

Kinesiology Career Paths

There are dozens of kinesiology jobs for students to explore. Below is just a sample of the different professions you can enter with a kinesiology degree. 

Source: BLS

• What is the definition of kinesiology?
  • Webster’s dictionary defines kinesiology as “the study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement” while the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance defines it as “the study of the dynamics of human movement and its components (anatomical, physiological, neurological, biochemical, biomechanical, neuromotor, psychological) in interaction with the environment.”
• What is a kinesiology degree good for?
  • A Bachelor’s in Kinesiology can help qualify you for many roles such as an athletic trainer or serve as a stepping stone for graduate studies and a wider range of careers such as a physical therapist.
• Are kinesiology degrees worth it?
  • Kinesiology majors have a wide range of good-paying career options, most of which have strong job outlooks for the coming decade. At a time when many jobs are at risk of being taken over by machines or AI, this is a field that should be relatively safe!
• How long does it take to finish a kinesiology degree?
  • Full-time students normally finish a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology in four years and a master’s in two. There may also be clinical internship requirements to fulfill, depending on one’s career goals.
• What is the difference between a kinesiologist and a physical therapist?
  • Kinesiology studies serve as the basis of many career fields, including kinesiologists and physical therapists, but physical therapists hold doctoral degrees and treat medical patients using more advanced skills.
• What are some kinesiology professional organizations?

  • A few kinesiology professional organizations include these:

    • The American Kinesiotherapy Association

    • The Society of Health and Physical Educators

    • The American College of Sports Medicine

    • The National Strength and Conditioning Association

    • The National Athletic Trainers Association

    The North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity